“A Different Perspective on AI": MaLGa's Contribution to the RAISE Village Inauguration

On October 26th, at the inaugural event of the RAISE Village, MaLGa Center faculty members Annalisa Barla and Alessandro Verri delivered a compelling talk titled "A Different Perspective on Artificial Intelligence," contributing to the dialogue initiated by Spoke 5 of the RAISE project. Their presentation encouraged a critical look on current AI paradigms, drawing attention to the ethical dimensions often overlooked in the AI field.

The discussion covered the evolution of AI, from early rule-based systems to today's data-driven models, and highlighted an essential critique: while modern AI can detect patterns and correlations, it often lacks the capacity to discern causality. This limitation underscores how AI accuracy hinges on vast datasets, raising ethical questions, especially in sensitive fields like medicine. Here, the presenters encouraged realistic expectations for AI, urging attendees to consider both the promise and the practical complexities of implementing AI in real-world healthcare.

"Our society is experiencing a significant interest in AI, fueled by recent advancements and public curiosity. This forum allowed us to demystify common misconceptions and provide a clearer understanding of how these technologies actually function," shared Professor Annalisa Barla. Alessandro Verri, Vice Director at the Department of Computer Science, Bioengineering, Robotics, and Systems Engineering at the University of Genoa, added, "It was an opportunity to shed light on the limitations inherent in these systems—nuances that often go unaddressed due to commercial focus."

Through their involvement in the RAISE project, MaLGa Center members are actively contributing to a more nuanced perspective on AI, highlighting both its transformative potential and the ethical responsibilities that accompany its development.

RAISE: Robotics and AI for Socio-economic Empowerment is an innovation ecosystem funded by the Ministry of University and Research under the National Recovery and Resilience Plan (NRRP, Mission 4, Component 2, Investment 1.5).

Ph. Author and credits: RAISE